SHAKESPEARE COMEDY

Evening Star, Issue 22956, 13 May 1938, Page 3

SHAKESPEARE COMEDY

IMPRESSIVE READING OF ' AS YOU LIKE IT’ The choice of ‘ As You Like It ’ by the Dunedin Shakespeare Club as its second reading of the season, last night was a' happy one. For one thing, it ia not so much what is done but what is said in this most popular of all the bard’s comedies that claims the attention. The large attendance of subscribers in the Concert Chamber were infected with the careless 'vigour of the play from the opening of the first scene, and enjoyment was made more potent because of an intelligent reading. It is so easy to lose the continuity of a piece of this description, but the thread that linked all the characters was unbroken to the end. The interest in this pastoral drama rises more out of the sentiments of the characters than out of actions and situations, and this is mainly the reason why ‘ As You Like It ’ is so perfectly adaptable as a reading. There is another reason why the play is such a staunch favourite with Shakespearean clubs. • There is hardly anv that contains a greater number or phrases that have become almost proverbial; this one is full of passages of delicacy and beauty. The 16 members who participated in the reading last night were all happily attuned to the genial mood that is _ the essential quality of the piece if it is to be accorded a correct The part of Jacques is a specially difficult one, as he is the only purely contemplative figure in the work. His whole occupation is to amuse the mind. The richly romantic sense was skilfully conveyed. Love plays many forms in the piece. There is the love of Orlando and Rosalind; Celia and Phoebe; and Touchstone and Audrey. All these parts were cleverly read, and, what was all the more pleasing, the diction of the entire cast was singularly pure. After hearing this reading one is inclined to the belief that there is not a better auditorium than the Concert Chamber in the city for this class of entertainment. The passages relating to the unrequited love of Silvius and Phoebe were one of the many delights of the evening. It was a joyful presentation of an invigorating' and joyful play. The characters were as follows: Duke (in exile), Mr W. Chapman; duke (usurper), Mr R. Herbert; Jacques, Mr H. W. Hunter; first Lord and Jacques de Boys, Mr C. Howell; Oliver, Mr B. E. Dickinson; Orlando, Mr N. 11‘KinIay; Adam, Mr W. B, Quennell; Touchstone, Mr 'J. W. Hayward ; Silvius, Mr I. J. Templeton; Colin, Mr D. C. Rose; Le Ban and William, Mr S. E. Mee; Rosalind, Mrs - M. Skipworth; Celia, Miss V. Jefferson; Phoebe, Miss S. Y. Seelen; Audrey, Mrs E. J. Murray; Page, Miss M. Eagar. The music was playad by Mrs L. Withers.